Many threads have been asking pros and cons of NJ Med. and RWJ Medical School. While there have been scattered answers here and there, I didn't see any targetted answers that address the issue fully. Since I have the same question and I am myself trying to choose which reception I should go to in January (apparently they're both on the same day), I thought I would compile all the info I have on these two schools and share it with you guys.
With regard to U.S. News ranking, RWJ is around number 60 (according to a post I saw earlier) in both primary care and research. I didn't see NJ Med. anywhere in the top 60 in either category. So if you like prestige and name, I suppose RWJ is higher up in that category.
With regard to residency matches, we were given residency match lists for the past 2-3 years when I interviewed at RWJ, but nothing was given at NJ Medical School. RWJ students matched in great programs, including Columbia, Duke, and Hopkins. Also, some students at RWJ matched into dermatology, radiology, and ophthalmology programs. Not bad.
With regard to trauma centers, both schools have hospitals that are designated as level 1 trauma centers (the highest designation a hospital can receive). Not much difference here.
With regard to residency programs and research, RWJ has just launched a brand new Stem Cell Research Center. It is also home to the cancer institute of New Jersey (lots of NIH money here). Additionally, the admissions committee told us that the Waksman Institute is a 5 minute walk, which is home to the Nobel Prize for the discovery of Streptomycin. NJMS, on the other hand, has recently lost accreditation for its cardiothoracic program. But Dr. Heinrich did recently send an email about two students getting published. So I guess that's good.
With regard to location, Newark is home to the bloods. As far as I heard from students I know at Newark, there are some days of high gang activity during which Newark students are advised to go home early since the gangs have their "initiation day." I heard some horrific details which I'll spare you. This was as recent as last month. Other than that, Newark has a nice Arts area, a big airport, and lots of traffic. New Brunswick is also a major city in New Jersey (although not as big as Newark). No bloods or crypts stories there. There is a lot of fine dining, arts areas, and night life (Rutgers-New Brunswick, is a very festive school). RWJ is in Piscatway, which is 10 minutes from New Brunswick.
With regard to on-campus dorms, RWJ does not have any. NJ Med. is building a dorm building which, as we were told by the tour guide, should be open for the class entering in 2006. RWJ gave us a list of nearby apartment complexes. Students seemed to prefer living in houses or apartment complexes over the typical college dorm style, but after all, this was all that was available to them...
With regard to available facilities, we were told during the interview at RWJ that we have free access to the gym at Rutgers-New Brunswick, which has, according to the students, a state-of-the-art weight room and an indoor swimming pool. Nothing like that was mentioned at Newark.
With regard to the campus, the RWJ campus is in a suburban setting in Piscataway. The surroundings are all nice and green, and when I interviewed there I saw ducks walking next to the students and some students were studying while laying down on the lawn outside. Newark is 110% urban, but there are a couple of greens here and there around the campus.
With regard to the cafeteria and on-campus food, NJ med. had a burger king in their cafeteria. RWJ only had a deli with "healthy" sandwiches and whatnot. However, someone who was interviewing that day asked if there was any fast food places around, and she was told that the Rutgers University student center, a 10 minute walk, had one.
With regard to combined degree programs, RWJ has a wealth of those, including an MD/JD program, MD/MBA, and an MD/MPH program. NJ Med. didn't talk to us about any such programs, but of course both schools have the MD/PhD program.
I think that's all I have in mind, as of yet... Does anybody have anything else? It would be good to put all these qualities together in one thread to help us make the choice between those two schools.
With regard to U.S. News ranking, RWJ is around number 60 (according to a post I saw earlier) in both primary care and research. I didn't see NJ Med. anywhere in the top 60 in either category. So if you like prestige and name, I suppose RWJ is higher up in that category.
With regard to residency matches, we were given residency match lists for the past 2-3 years when I interviewed at RWJ, but nothing was given at NJ Medical School. RWJ students matched in great programs, including Columbia, Duke, and Hopkins. Also, some students at RWJ matched into dermatology, radiology, and ophthalmology programs. Not bad.
With regard to trauma centers, both schools have hospitals that are designated as level 1 trauma centers (the highest designation a hospital can receive). Not much difference here.
With regard to residency programs and research, RWJ has just launched a brand new Stem Cell Research Center. It is also home to the cancer institute of New Jersey (lots of NIH money here). Additionally, the admissions committee told us that the Waksman Institute is a 5 minute walk, which is home to the Nobel Prize for the discovery of Streptomycin. NJMS, on the other hand, has recently lost accreditation for its cardiothoracic program. But Dr. Heinrich did recently send an email about two students getting published. So I guess that's good.
With regard to location, Newark is home to the bloods. As far as I heard from students I know at Newark, there are some days of high gang activity during which Newark students are advised to go home early since the gangs have their "initiation day." I heard some horrific details which I'll spare you. This was as recent as last month. Other than that, Newark has a nice Arts area, a big airport, and lots of traffic. New Brunswick is also a major city in New Jersey (although not as big as Newark). No bloods or crypts stories there. There is a lot of fine dining, arts areas, and night life (Rutgers-New Brunswick, is a very festive school). RWJ is in Piscatway, which is 10 minutes from New Brunswick.
With regard to on-campus dorms, RWJ does not have any. NJ Med. is building a dorm building which, as we were told by the tour guide, should be open for the class entering in 2006. RWJ gave us a list of nearby apartment complexes. Students seemed to prefer living in houses or apartment complexes over the typical college dorm style, but after all, this was all that was available to them...
With regard to available facilities, we were told during the interview at RWJ that we have free access to the gym at Rutgers-New Brunswick, which has, according to the students, a state-of-the-art weight room and an indoor swimming pool. Nothing like that was mentioned at Newark.
With regard to the campus, the RWJ campus is in a suburban setting in Piscataway. The surroundings are all nice and green, and when I interviewed there I saw ducks walking next to the students and some students were studying while laying down on the lawn outside. Newark is 110% urban, but there are a couple of greens here and there around the campus.
With regard to the cafeteria and on-campus food, NJ med. had a burger king in their cafeteria. RWJ only had a deli with "healthy" sandwiches and whatnot. However, someone who was interviewing that day asked if there was any fast food places around, and she was told that the Rutgers University student center, a 10 minute walk, had one.
With regard to combined degree programs, RWJ has a wealth of those, including an MD/JD program, MD/MBA, and an MD/MPH program. NJ Med. didn't talk to us about any such programs, but of course both schools have the MD/PhD program.
I think that's all I have in mind, as of yet... Does anybody have anything else? It would be good to put all these qualities together in one thread to help us make the choice between those two schools.
